How to Protect Your Concrete from Rain

Concrete is one of the best options for driveways—it looks great, it’s durable and it can really boost the value of your home. Although it can last for years without cracking, homeowners still need to protect their concrete from rain in Racine, WI by having the surface sealed. This post will cover how driveway sealants help to protect against different elements.

Rain

It may seem harmless, but rainfall is one of the biggest threats to a concrete driveway. Any water that seeps down into concrete will freeze during the winter months. Water freezes as it expands, eventually causing small cracks, which will only grow wider and longer as time goes on. In a worst-case scenario, the ground below the concrete will erode, leading to a pothole in your driveway. Hiring a professional for concrete sealing to protect from rain in Racine, WI is the only way to prevent this. Waterproofing sealers create a hydrophobic barrier that defends against all moisture.

Snow

Winter in Wisconsin means snowfall—and a lot of it! All of the snow accumulating on your driveway leads to the same problems mentioned above with rain. Again, a waterproof sealant will block any melting snow from penetrating your concrete. Additionally, it’s a good idea to remove accumulated snowfall as soon as possible to prevent any cracking.

Deicers

It’s important to keep snow and ice off your driveway. However, using deicing chemicals to remove ice and snow can be dangerous. Although deicers eat through the ice, they can also erode the concrete, leading to cracks or other flaws. Acrylic sealers help prevent deicing agents from reaching the underlying concrete. We recommend using sand or natural salt to get rid of any ice or snow, as they’re more friendly to your concrete.

Sun

The sun’s ultraviolet rays do a number on our skin cells, and they can also affect your concrete driveway. Those UV rays can dry out the concrete, causing shrinkage and subsequent cracking. Acrylic sealers help block these harmful UV rays, keeping your driveway in good shape for many years.

When should concrete be sealed?

One downside of concrete is that it takes quite a bit longer to cure than asphalt. In fact, concrete can take up to 28 days before it fully cures. We recommend sealing your concrete as soon as it has cured. Sealing too soon can trap moisture in the surface, but waiting too long can result in damage to the driveway. Your concrete contractor should be able to advise you regarding the best time to seal the surface.

Is sealing your concrete a DIY job?

Although concrete sealing to protect from rain in Racine, WI could be a DIY project for some homeowners, we don’t recommend it. Store-bought sealant may not work as well as the products the professionals use, and the wrong application techniques can lead to an improperly sealed driveway. Instead of wasting your time and money trying to seal your concrete yourself, just hire a team of professionals. Hiring the pros ensures that the job is done right, and your driveway will be more likely to last for as long as possible.

Instead of trying to protect your concrete from rain in Racine, WI by yourself, reach out to the professionals at Langenfeld Masonry & Concrete. From installation to repairs and sealing, we provide a wide variety of concrete services for both homes and businesses.

Categorised in: Concrete Contractor